Photo Stories: The Rawlings Conservatory @ Druid Hill Park was host to a 12 day art exhibit(Oct 1-Oct 12), Nature Indoors, which featured the diverse works of some of Baltimore's promising artists. The Conservatory partnered with Maryland Institute College of Art's (MICA) student Gloria Azucena to create an exhibit that celebrates nature by bringing nature indoors. Azucena is enrolled in MICA's Curatorial Practice MFA Program. Photos(c.green images) below are from the exhibits opening reception.

KPELLE VILLAGE –
Launched in Druid Hill Park in 1984, Kpelle Village was a part of a cultural
exchange project that was associated with Sister Cities International. Kpelle is an ethnic group in Liberia. Sister
Cities promoted the exchange of culture between countries. Baltimore’s first
Sister city was Gbarnga, Liberia. An authentic village was built to replicate a
particular period in Liberia and its people.

But the connection
between Baltimore and Gbarnga was established years before the village was
built at Druid Hill Park. In the early
1970’s Larry Gibson, Baltimore lawyer, author, political strategist, visited
Gbnarga and based on his experience with the country and its people, believed
that a cultural exchange project would serve the best interests of both
locales. Thus, the relationship began and led to exchange of artifacts, pen
pals, teacher exchange and cross country visits.

A groundbreaking
ceremony with African dance kicked off the project at the park that included
the presence of Maria Broom and former Mayor Donald Schaefer, among others.
However, all was not well in Kpelle Village. There were segments of the Black
community that just despised its location – the zoo.

Dr. Emmit Burns, as
well as International Ministerial Alliance pressed the Sister Cities
organization and the mayor to have it removed to another area of the park. But the Sister Cities committee balked and
noted they placed the exhibit in the zoo because of its size, trees that
resembled Liberia, and free cost. Additionally, the committee had noted that
they appreciate the Black past and are proud of it.